GUDNI Bergsson has been urged to think again about his decision to retire at the end of the season.

Wanderers assistant manager Phil Brown says the Reebok skipper would be "crazy" to quit while he is playing so well.

"He's had Craig Bellamy in his back pocket, he's had Michael Owen in his back pocket and hopefully he can have Anelka and Robbie Fowler in his back pocket on Saturday," the Bolton number two said, looking forward to Bergsson helping keep Wanderers on survival course with another masterclass in the Reebok derby duel with Kevin Keegan's Manchester City.

"I see no reason whatsoever why Gudni should retire. I've probably been one of his biggest admirers and since the new management regime took over, he's gone from strength to strength. He's got quicker, he seems stronger during games and seems fitter.

"I've told him he would be crazy to retire. But everybody tells him that. I know we've staved off retirement for the last three years but he's got stronger, fitter and quicker."

Bergsson appears determined to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career but he can expect to come under renewed pressure to stay from supporters at a "farewell" function tonight and now Brown is hoping his voice will help those who are pleading with the born-again Iceland international to make another U-turn.

Bergsson ended his five and a half year international exile on Saturday when he played in Iceland's 2-1 defeat by Scotland.

Answering his country's call, the 37-year-old defender insisted, was not a sign that he was wavering in

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his determination to return to Reykjavik to start a career in the law. But he did say he would discuss his international future with the Iceland coach Atli Edvaldsson and Brown reckons it is inconceivable Bergsson would play for his country if he was not having second thoughts about quitting Wanderers.

"Selecting himself for the national team has intimated that," he suggested. "What we are thinking, Gudni is thinking as well, if the truth be known. Why should he go back to international football at 37 if he doesn't think he can play?

"I know his family and his new career is important and he's getting itchy feet to start. But if he only started at 40 he'd have 35 good years left, if he fancied it.

"It's all been said before but I actually think it's seeping in."

Brown will be among Bergsson's friends and team-mates attending at Wednesday night's BWSA "Farewell to Gudni" event at the Reebok but he joked: "I'm thinking of boycotting it. If I go, I'm more or less advocating that he retires!"